Monty Panesar suggests Steve Smith rattled during Ashes opener
Monty Panesar has expressed the belief that his recent remarks may have unsettled Australia captain Steve Smith, who began the Ashes in Perth with a subdued performance, reports BritPanorama.
Smith scored just 17 runs as Australia struggled to respond to England’s modest first-innings total of 172, with Brydon Carse dismissing him after a shaky innings. Panesar noted that England appeared to sense Smith was “rattled” during his time at the crease.
Throughout his innings, Smith exhibited signs of discomfort, frequently playing and missing while attempting challenging drives. He was struck on the elbow and hand before edging a delivery that moved away, resulting in a sharp catch by Harry Brook. Panesar remarked that this performance was not typical of Smith’s usual composed batting style.
Reflecting on Smith’s struggles, Panesar commented to the Daily Mail, “He was really all over the place, to be honest. He didn’t bat like we’ve seen him bat. He played and missed so many times.” This analysis follows an earlier exchange between the two, which focused on Smith’s role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, a topic that Panesar suggested could have weighed on Smith psychologically.
In response to Panesar’s remarks about making Smith “feel guilty,” the Australia star cheekily referenced Panesar’s infamous appearance on BBC’s Mastermind, which gained traction online back in 2019. Panesar countered, “We’ve both made mistakes. I made mine on a quiz show, he made his on a cricket field.” This light-hearted banter suggested that underlying tensions could still linger as Smith approached the crease.
Panesar further elaborated, indicating that Smith’s sensitivity to the past scandal might have played a role in his performance: “There could be that possibility where the England players have said a few things, or the way you look at someone with that body language. You can think, has it got to him? Because he really wasn’t himself today.”
He praised England’s fast bowlers for capitalising on the moment, stating that Ben Stokes’ side managed to restrict Australia to 123–9 by the end of the first day’s play. “They must have targeted him,” Panesar remarked. “He possibly feels a little bit sensitive about the subject and it’s worked in England’s favour. They’ve been absolutely brilliant today.”
As for the series ahead, Panesar, who played 50 Test matches and last toured Australia in 2013–14, warned that Smith could face continuing challenges if England maintains their aggressive approach. “If they can replicate that, he could have a challenging time during the Ashes,” he noted. Despite the tension, Panesar maintained a light-hearted touch towards the prospect of encountering Smith during his watch of the ongoing Test. “Who knows, I may bump into him,” he remarked. “It’ll be a lot of fun and games if I do meet him.”
Moments like this remind us how narratives and rivalries can shape not only the matches themselves but the very fabric of player interactions across generations. The Ashes, with its storied past and simmering rivalries, constantly evolves in ways that keep fans and players alike on their toes.
